Table of Contents
Authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have imposed Section 144, restricting public gatherings and assemblies amid what officials describe as rising security concerns and intelligence of potential unrest. The bans, issued through separate notifications, differ in duration but share a common justification: fears that certain groups are planning disruptive or unlawful assemblies near sensitive locations.
A notification from the Islamabad district magistrate ordered the enforcement of Section 144 across the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) for a period of two months. Meanwhile, a parallel order from the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner imposed the same ban for three days, effective from Monday until December 3.
Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code empowers district administrations to prohibit the assembly of four or more individuals for a specified period. It is generally imposed in situations where public gatherings could pose threats to law and order, security, or public safety.
Islamabad Order: Two-Month Ban on All Gatherings
According to the Islamabad magistrate’s notification — dated November 18 and obtained by Dawn — the long-term imposition was necessary because “certain segments of society are planning to organise unlawful assemblies within the jurisdiction of Islamabad Capital Territory.” The notification did not specify which groups were involved or what type of activities had raised concern.
The order explicitly bans “all kinds of gatherings of five or more persons, processions, rallies and demonstrations at any public place within the Revenue Limits of District Islamabad, including the Red Zone.” The Red Zone, home to Parliament, the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister’s Office and foreign diplomatic missions, is often the focal point of political protests.
The notification emphasised that “it is necessary to control such types of illegal activities which present a threat to public peace, tranquillity and maintenance of law & order.” The order took immediate effect and will remain in place until January 18, 2026 — an unusually long duration compared to typical Section 144 orders, which are often imposed for days or weeks.
Rawalpindi Order: Intelligence Warning of Potential Violence
Rawalpindi’s administration based its decision on specific intelligence shared by the district intelligence committee (DIC). According to the notification, the DIC reported “imminent threats” near key areas, including sensitive installations, major roads and critical infrastructure.
The intelligence suggested that some groups were “actively mobilising with intentions to disturb the law and order situation through large gatherings, protests, and disruptive assemblies.” Furthermore, the DIC warned that these groups might target “soft locations” and attempt to engage in potentially violent behaviour near crucial government and military sites.
As a result, public gatherings and the display of weapons in Rawalpindi have been banned for three days. Officials said the shorter timeframe reflects the immediate nature of the perceived threat.
Political Context: PTI Plans Protests
The imposition of Section 144 coincides with renewed political tension. Earlier on Monday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) parliamentary committee announced that the party would stage protests outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and Adiala Jail on Tuesday. The demonstrations aim to highlight what PTI calls the “persistent and deliberate obstruction” of meetings with party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
Imran Khan, 72, has been detained since August 2023 following a series of convictions in cases he maintains were politically motivated after his ouster through a no-confidence vote in 2022. During his time in custody, PTI claims that Khan has repeatedly been denied access to family members, legal counsel and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, despite court orders allowing such visits.
PTI leaders argue that preventing these meetings violates both legal norms and the fundamental rights of their party chief. The party’s call for demonstrations had raised expectations of political mobilisation in the twin cities, prompting speculation that the timing of the Section 144 orders was linked to the planned protests.
Security and Civic Implications
The imposition of Section 144 in both cities highlights the increasing pressure on authorities to maintain stability, particularly in the face of political tensions and sensitive security environments. Islamabad’s two-month restriction signals a long-term approach to managing potential unrest, while Rawalpindi’s shorter, intelligence-driven ban reflects more immediate concerns.
The sweeping restrictions will impact political parties, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens alike, effectively halting public demonstrations — peaceful or otherwise — in both cities for the duration of the orders.
